Board hears about enrollment at SCS

Shelburne Community School Co-Principal Allan Miller is constantly looking ahead as students cycle through the pre-K through eighth-grade school. Miller told the school board that the school’s current enrollment is 737 students.

The review of the school’s enrollment prompted Miller to tell school directors the decision to hire a fifth third-grade teacher was a correct decision. “The class size was optimal, and it was a good decision last spring,” he said.

Citing State of Vermont projections for future enrollment, Miller told the board that the school’s student population could reach 780 students by 2021.

Because the current third grade is large, Miller suggested that the board consider keeping five teachers with the class when students move up to the fourth grade.

If five teachers taught fourth grade next year, individual class size could be kept in the high teens. Miller noted that the teacher hired to teach third grade is working on a one-year contract.

“The two folks we hired are fantastic. We have good, quality people,” Miller said.

Miller didn’t publically name any staff members working on one-year contracts. He said he brought up the topic because he wanted the board to have data as the administration begins to prepare baseline budgets for the Chittenden South Supervisory Union central office.

Board members suggested to Miller that he prepare staffing information for Superintendent of Schools Elaine Pinckney and her team as they start the budgeting process.